Be thankful if you grew up in America between WWII and 2000. There was no Trump, no Magas, no air attacks on 9/11, no Jan6, and no attacks on judges, lawyers, teachers, and the list goes on.
My childhood was very similar, including the snakes! My first child was born in 1975 and had a similar early childhood. Seven years later my youngest did not. We started locking our doors and he could not be outside without supervision, in fear of kidnapping, assault and such. I feel so fortunate to have grown up in a rime we felt safe, though in reality, we did have the same problems. Now through the use internet, news, and larger population safety seems more widespread or is it just the same?
It probably depends on whether you live in a rural vs city area. I wouldn’t feel safe in apartment buildings. There are many lovely small towns and villages worth moving to!
You are correct. I grew up rural and I raised my children in a very small community, which was on the edge of rural. At that time the town was growing very quickly, much like many places now.
I currently live rural, yet on the edge of a small town. It has the same problems many ares are experiencing today, yet is a very pleasant town.
Yes, us too. I grew up up in more of a village town and now live in the suburb of real town (not city!) and people are nice, I feel safe, and I’m thankful I grew up up where I did in a little hill town!
In the dreamlike days of my 1950s and early 60s childhood, life was a canvas painted with the delicate colors of simplicity and wonder. Our world was an endless garden of discovery, where each day unfurled like a new adventure under the wide, open sky. We wandered through fields and forests, our laughter mingling with the whispers of the wind, and our small hands crafting castles in the sand and secret forts in the woods.
Our neighborhood was a haven of trust, where doors remained invitingly open, and the warm glow of friendship shone from every window. We played hopscotch on the sidewalks, our chalk-drawn dreams a vibrant testament to our unbridled creativity. The aroma of homemade pies (Mrs. Byrd) and freshly churned ice cream (my Daddy) wafted through the air, drawing us to kitchens where stories and treats were generously shared.
In that enchanted era, our imaginations soared unfettered, far from the grasp of today's digital distractions. We spun tales and adventures under the shade of ancient oaks, our make-believe worlds as real to us as the ground beneath our feet.
School was a gentle journey, a meandering river of discovery rather than a race. We learned the magic of words and numbers through stories and songs, and the playground was our realm of joyous conquests and simple delights.
The community was our extended family, teaching us the value of connection and the art of conversation. Local fairs and church picnics under the stars were the highlights of our social calendar, where laughter and music filled the air.
Life then was a melody of unhurried days and heartfelt connections, each moment a thread in the rich tapestry of a close-knit community. Those days, like a cherished, faded photograph, evoke a nostalgia for a time when the world spun a little slower, and the joys of life were found in the simplest of moments.
Kids are not limitless anymore. In every wester society and country the free time is full if constraints… even carbs are almost banned. Ok slight exaggeration but you get the point. Those were the days and no some professions are in trouble:” attacks on judges, lawyers, teachers, and the list goes on.”
A wonderful trip down memory lane! Those carefree days filled with outdoor adventures and the innocence of childhood is truly heartwarming. The nostalgia in your words brings to mind a simpler time, where the biggest worries were mosquito bites and missing marbles. Thank you Diane for sharing these cherished memories.
Even in Detroit where I grew up, OK we did lock our doors but otherwise my experience was not terribly different. I lived in a mixed neighborhood that was yes, mostly white, but you could see kids in most all the neighborhoods north and south of Harper Ave; they were vibrant with kids-on bikes, in yards and recess in full swing at all the elementary schools. In the 70’s I took 3 buses downtown to attend HS near Wayne State University. It was my hometown and I never really felt unsafe in what was thought of as a very dangerous city. Thing is, are kids at large unsafe playing in their neighborhoods in this cell phone age or have parents slowly become overly paranoid with the advent of immediate & exponentially hyped news? I dunno.
I think after 911 parents went wild wanting to stay in touch and cells were purchased with that in mind. Then suddenly entertainment entered! That is what I saw in classrooms.
Bet you’re right- and what a good vantage point, especially in hindsight, to spot trends. The rise of school violence & shooters isn’t helping either. Plus who knows both kids and parents better than teachers?
I too roamed freely every day until the streetlights came on. The only real violence was inside when my father had been drinking too much. Outside was my sanctuary. I simply can’t imagine being afraid of violence. But that may say more about where I grew up (the suburbs of Los Angeles). I too talked to adults a lot.
I am grateful. Thanks for the reminder, Diane. Oh and favorite food? Pretzels with a jar of p-butter to dip them in :-)
My childhood was very similar, including the snakes! My first child was born in 1975 and had a similar early childhood. Seven years later my youngest did not. We started locking our doors and he could not be outside without supervision, in fear of kidnapping, assault and such. I feel so fortunate to have grown up in a rime we felt safe, though in reality, we did have the same problems. Now through the use internet, news, and larger population safety seems more widespread or is it just the same?
It probably depends on whether you live in a rural vs city area. I wouldn’t feel safe in apartment buildings. There are many lovely small towns and villages worth moving to!
You are correct. I grew up rural and I raised my children in a very small community, which was on the edge of rural. At that time the town was growing very quickly, much like many places now.
I currently live rural, yet on the edge of a small town. It has the same problems many ares are experiencing today, yet is a very pleasant town.
Yes, us too. I grew up up in more of a village town and now live in the suburb of real town (not city!) and people are nice, I feel safe, and I’m thankful I grew up up where I did in a little hill town!
Your post brought back so many memories!
In the dreamlike days of my 1950s and early 60s childhood, life was a canvas painted with the delicate colors of simplicity and wonder. Our world was an endless garden of discovery, where each day unfurled like a new adventure under the wide, open sky. We wandered through fields and forests, our laughter mingling with the whispers of the wind, and our small hands crafting castles in the sand and secret forts in the woods.
Our neighborhood was a haven of trust, where doors remained invitingly open, and the warm glow of friendship shone from every window. We played hopscotch on the sidewalks, our chalk-drawn dreams a vibrant testament to our unbridled creativity. The aroma of homemade pies (Mrs. Byrd) and freshly churned ice cream (my Daddy) wafted through the air, drawing us to kitchens where stories and treats were generously shared.
In that enchanted era, our imaginations soared unfettered, far from the grasp of today's digital distractions. We spun tales and adventures under the shade of ancient oaks, our make-believe worlds as real to us as the ground beneath our feet.
School was a gentle journey, a meandering river of discovery rather than a race. We learned the magic of words and numbers through stories and songs, and the playground was our realm of joyous conquests and simple delights.
The community was our extended family, teaching us the value of connection and the art of conversation. Local fairs and church picnics under the stars were the highlights of our social calendar, where laughter and music filled the air.
Life then was a melody of unhurried days and heartfelt connections, each moment a thread in the rich tapestry of a close-knit community. Those days, like a cherished, faded photograph, evoke a nostalgia for a time when the world spun a little slower, and the joys of life were found in the simplest of moments.
What a wonderful picture of a time that few had or have today. You describe it as I remember the times.
Kids are not limitless anymore. In every wester society and country the free time is full if constraints… even carbs are almost banned. Ok slight exaggeration but you get the point. Those were the days and no some professions are in trouble:” attacks on judges, lawyers, teachers, and the list goes on.”
A wonderful trip down memory lane! Those carefree days filled with outdoor adventures and the innocence of childhood is truly heartwarming. The nostalgia in your words brings to mind a simpler time, where the biggest worries were mosquito bites and missing marbles. Thank you Diane for sharing these cherished memories.
Even in Detroit where I grew up, OK we did lock our doors but otherwise my experience was not terribly different. I lived in a mixed neighborhood that was yes, mostly white, but you could see kids in most all the neighborhoods north and south of Harper Ave; they were vibrant with kids-on bikes, in yards and recess in full swing at all the elementary schools. In the 70’s I took 3 buses downtown to attend HS near Wayne State University. It was my hometown and I never really felt unsafe in what was thought of as a very dangerous city. Thing is, are kids at large unsafe playing in their neighborhoods in this cell phone age or have parents slowly become overly paranoid with the advent of immediate & exponentially hyped news? I dunno.
I think after 911 parents went wild wanting to stay in touch and cells were purchased with that in mind. Then suddenly entertainment entered! That is what I saw in classrooms.
Bet you’re right- and what a good vantage point, especially in hindsight, to spot trends. The rise of school violence & shooters isn’t helping either. Plus who knows both kids and parents better than teachers?
I too roamed freely every day until the streetlights came on. The only real violence was inside when my father had been drinking too much. Outside was my sanctuary. I simply can’t imagine being afraid of violence. But that may say more about where I grew up (the suburbs of Los Angeles). I too talked to adults a lot.
I am grateful. Thanks for the reminder, Diane. Oh and favorite food? Pretzels with a jar of p-butter to dip them in :-)
Thank you, Jena. Anything with peanut or chocolate is good!
Wonderful column! It brought back so many memories. I never realized that talking with my friends’
parents taught me how to talk with adults that we’re not my family. What a great thought! My absolute favorite food was peanut butter. Still is!
Glad you enjoyed it. I feel so fortunate to have grown up then instead of now!
You said it!